Miata Truck

Awesome! I love this idea! I love the MX520, too! I'm in for inspiration...

jstancel wrote: The wheelbase is easily fixed by making a shorter bed. My real issue of the day was the width of the rocker panels. I looked up track width and it seemed like everything would jive. I was wrong! The rockers were several inches more narrow on the Courier compared to the Miata. With the width of the truck rockers and the general deplorable condition I decided to punt on the Courier. This means I am back on the hunt for a new truck. If the measurement issue was not embarrassing enough, I lost a strap holding the cab in my bed which landed me here.

Well... that is unfortunate.

However, my mind goes to:

Box flairs molded down into 'running boards'... rocker width solved!

The Courier was neat, but kindof bland looking. Find some truck body from pre-1960 and stick it on that chassis.

It is in a good position to work on the rockers.

I like how you think. Looking forward to more of this.

Deadline is closing in fast.......

Imjosh wrote: Deadline is closing in fast.......

Yeah, I failed the timeline. I am trying to decide on a new body after the Courier failure. My current list of ideas are CJ7, Scout, 58 Apache, 83-88 Ranger, Bronco II, Manx, or Nissan Hardbody.

In that list there is only one answer. That's a Scout bodied Miata.

How about a Chevy Luv?

Scout 80 half cab would be nice, but rare. Slice the Courier down the middle, narrow, and weld back up again? CJ-8 could be cool.

Couple of measurements that will keep you from going down a rocky road.

Measure the distance from the front wheel to the middle of the drivers seat.

This is the one that got me in trouble an required that I extend the wheelbase on the Miata in front of the firewall. If it is too close, you end up jammed against the courier dash.

Measure center to center distance between the seats on both vehicles

If the Miata spacing is wider than the courier, then you will be looking at the a-post when driving. Not much room to move seats inboard on the Miata. Miata being narrower might not be an issue

Measure from the top of the front scuttle (dash) to the ground for both vehicles.

This tells you how far down you will need to drop the courier to meet the top of the Miata firewall. If you just match the sills, you would never be able to see over the Courier dash. If you just keep lowering the Courier body until you have good sight-lines while sitting in the Miata seat, the sills on the courier are going to be on the ground and you will have to section the courier body. Not that I am against that idea.

Photoshop idea with a 53 Chevy cab...

So I missed the mark with the Courier but I scored a free truck cab and doors. The doors are in great shape and the lettering is still there from when it sat in an Old Navy Store. The big issue other than rust will be the missing sheet metal. It was a 5 window truck and the previous owner wanted to make his other truck into a 5 window so I am missing some pretty big and curved panels.

Yesterday was the start of making them work together.

I like where this is going.

You have my approval.

How are you determining fore-aft placement of the Truck body over the Miata chassis?

Are you going to section the truck cab so that the dash works with stock height Miata seating or are you going to raise the Miata seat and steering column?

NOHOME wrote: How are you determining fore-aft placement of the Truck body over the Miata chassis? Are you going to section the truck cab so that the dash works with stock height Miata seating or are you going to raise the Miata seat and steering column?

The placement of the cab revolves around seating. I am too tall move the seat forward so the cab must accommodate. The plan is to keep the truck dash and instrument placement. Nothing else is set in stone.

I did make a quick photoshop to get an idea of what a chop top would look like.

I like where this is going

Nitroracer wrote: I like where this is going.

Andy Neuman wrote: I like where this is going

I three enjoy the direction this is heading

Go forth and keep us updated!

High five on this build.

Aww yiss it's back

Is the nose going to be trucky thing or a Miata-y thing?

Now I'm wondering how well a VW trucklet or Dodge Rampage would sit on a Miata.